The Hallmarked Man by Robert Galbraith

 I could not wait to flip the pages of Galbraith's (J.K. Rowling) eighth story in the Strike and Ellacott mystery/romance encounter.

It did not disappoint.

Taking on a controversial case attached to a dismembered body found in the vault of a silver shop, Cormoran Strike and his partner Robin Ellacott are investigating if the body belongs to the boyfriend of a rich client.  They don't necessarily need to know who it is, just whether it's the boyfriend or not.  

This narrow inquiry keeps them from overstepping the police's investigation.  That's the intention, anyway.

Strike's and Robin's probe leads off in many tangents, which includes their suppressed feelings.  Every time Strike or Robin considers revealing how they feel about one another, a roadblock appears.  Whether it's because they can't get together, their cases pull them in different directions, or more subtly they misread each other, their thoughts and feelings don't get expressed.  

More obviously, Robin's boyfriend appears to be a keeper and Strike's reputation doesn't help.

Strike tries to work closer with Robin to give him an advantage, which typically backfires.  He plans to lay his heart at her feet when he gets the chance, and he's incredibly frustrated that the chance hasn't happened yet.

Robin insists to herself that her boyfriend, Ryan, should be the one for her because he's a good guy.  She tries not to admit that might not be enough when thoughts of Strike bombard her.

The last chapter left me stunned.  A grand ending and a grand beginning for the next saga of Strike and Robin's story.  I can't wait.

Happy reading,

Dawn

 

THe Running Grave by Robert Galbraith

 Cormoran Strike and Robin Ellacott are back at it.  As partners in a private detective agency, they manage to do superior investigating while hiding the heart.

Strike and Robin have extreme feelings for one another, but there are always too many barriers.  One or another is dating someone else, work, timing, work, admittance, work, and anything else that can keep them from admitting their feelings at the same time.

The current case involves parents of Will who hire Strike and Robin to get him out of what they consider a religious cult.  Robin demands she go undercover to infiltrate the religious camp.  

More dangerous than expected, Strike keeps his promise to Robin, no matter how much it aggravates him, to update her boyfriend on her wellbeing.  Strike insists to himself that he'd be better at keeping Robin happy, but he hasn't found the right moment to reveal to Robin his thoughts.  He shouldn't, but he might.

Robin likes her boyfriend, but in times of danger and being exhausted on the low rations at the camp and scared at the same time, she first thinks of Strike.  

They have no idea of the deeply guarded romantic feelings they share.

The investigation keeps them from diving into their true feelings, but rather urgent on saving Will from his certain demise at the hands of the cult.

Strike and Robin both admit to themselves who they want in their life, but can they find a way to express their growing love?  Or is the case the only thing they solve?

 Each installment of the series brings love a touch closer, yet when will love be the final mystery solved?  

Happy reading,

Dawn

The Ink Black Heart by Robert Galbraith

 Cormoran Strike and Robin Ellacott, detective partners extraordinaire with a heated undercurrent of love, are entangled in another multi-layer murder investigation.

Without experience in online discovery, Strike and Robin are jerked into the homicide case of  Edie Ledwell, cartoon artist of The Ink Black Heart.  Her partner is paralyzed from the same attack, but reveals little to no clues on the case.

Strike and Robin work excessive hours on a full load at their detective agency, of which I feel they do in order to ignore the sentiment they both almost consciously admit.  

Strike's rugged, yet handsome appearance always attracts the most beautiful and rich woman in England.  He doesn't intend to use them, but his heart is hidden in Robin's pocket.  

Robin rarely dates, but keeps herself busy searching for clues and answers for the agency.  I chuckle when Strike thinks a man is interested in Robin because he forces himself to wish her well even if any other guy is nothing more than a bloke and not good enough for her.  She silently admits she loves Strike.  Dashing my excitement as the reader, she insists on changing her feelings.

Fortunately, the murder investigation is incredibly in-depth with many characters taking part and keeping me engrossed in the story as I wait, and wait for Robin and Strike to somehow find a way to be together.  

Happy reading,

Dawn 

Troubled Blood by Robert Galbraith (JK Rowlings)

 Some books I love, and some I savor!  This I do both.

Cormoran Strike and Robin Ellacott bring suspense and the elusive romance in line throughout their mystery in London.

Strike (called by his last name due to constant mispronunciation of first) is a wounded war hero turned private investigator and hot as a sizzling iron.

  

He picks up a cold case of a former Playboy Bunny turned doctor with suspicious death circumstances.  His beautiful partner, Robin, is on the trail with him.  

Strike does his best to ignore the lurking emotional feeling he's experienced with Robin.  Not too hard most of the time since his aunt, like a mother to him, is dying and their caseload is maxed.  

Robin is doing the same, ignoring the attraction to Strike while she goes through a divorce along with extensive work hours.  

The cold case highlights former police inadequacies and a strange connection to tarot cards and astrology.  

Galbraith pulls the reader in as if you're living the story and can feel the energy expended with each dead end and lead in the case and romance.  I just hope that Strike and Robin figure it soon!

Happy reading,

Dawn   

Career of Evil by Rober Galbraith

Another masterpiece written by Galbraith, aka J.K. Rowling! 

Robin Ellacott, Cormoran Strike’s investigative partner, receives a body part in a box at their office.  Robin’s aghast.  Strike doesn’t like it either, but his mind immediately analyzes the situation and four names come to mind of who might have done this.  Not in agreement with Scotland yard, of course.

All the men who have a grudge against Strike.  That’s his list.

Robin wants to hide her apprehension and help with the investigation.  As more attacks happen to Robin and around the city, Strike demands she is home by dark.

Home to her fiancé who hates her job. 

So, while a tricky and twisted follow up on the murder and continuing murders happens during office hours, The heart plays tricks on Robin and Strike.

Robin’s fiancé admits to a possibly unforgiveable deed.  Robin takes time off from him while thinking about Strike after hours.  The problem is that Strike thinks about her too. 

It’s very common for the reader to cheer for the couple the reader wants to get together and stay together.  This one’s difficult.

Robin and Matt are still engaged with a huge issue at hand.  Robin adores Strike, but does it go further than that?  Strike has to force himself to keep only to business with her.  So, who gets Robin in the end?  Is it who the reader thinks will get her?  Is it who the reader wants to win? 

The end was a tear jerker and I couldn’t guess what would happen till I read it.  Another story I didn’t want to end!

Happy reading,

Dawn  

The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith (aka JK Rowling)

Get ready for another novel by a super author, Robert Galbraith aka JK Rowling!  It has nothing to do with Harry Potter, wizards, and magic, but with all the “can’t put down” readability.  Rowling has merged into mystery with touches of romance. 

The Cuckoo’s Calling is the first of a trilogy starring Cormoran Strike as a private detective.  He’s just had a disaster in his love life and an interesting and seemingly impossible case is requested of him.

The death of a super model is questioned by the model’s brother, although the police believe it was a suicide. 

Strike takes the case.  Realizing he’s short on money and help, a temp service accidentally sends him another secretary.  He takes her on expecting to employ Robin for just this case.

Robin, engaged to a man who doesn’t understand her eagerness at a low paying job, wants to learn how to be a detective.        

Set in London, it’s easy to feel the atmosphere and understand the tension built through the detective’s case and the lives of Strike and Robin mixing.

I have to admit that I’ve just finished The Silkworm, the second in the trilogy, and have found it just as intriguing.  This is another author that when a book is published, it has to be read!

Happy reading,

Dawn